Arrangement for indicating an indicating an interrupted electrical connection

Abstract

An arrangement for indicating that an electrical connection is not established between first and second electrical circuit components includes a shorting contact which is disengaged upon first and second electrical connectors establishing a connection. As long as the shorting contact is engaged, current flows to an indicator lamp indicating that the first and second connectors are disengaged. This arrangement is utilized to notify the operator of a motor vehicle that a connector is disengaged from an air bag system diagnostic module and needs to be reconnected so that an igniter disposed within an air bag in the vehicle is connected to an inertia sensor which energizes the igniter in order to cause a gas expansion to inflate the air bag. When the connector is connected to the module, the lamp is not illuminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An arrangement for indicating that an electrical connection is not established between first and second electrical circuit components; the arrangement comprising: a first connector associated with the first circuit component and having a plurality of first contacts;   a second connector associated with the second circuit component and having a plurality of second contacts for establishing an electrical connection with the first connector when engaged therewith;   a normally closed shorting contact normally in engagement with two of the second contacts;   a member on the first connector for engaging the shorting contact to disconnect the shorting contact from at least one of the two second contacts upon joining the first connector to the second connector, said member comprising a cam; and   an indicator connected across the two second contacts and to a source of electric current for emitting a signal when the first and second connectors are disconnected, allowing the shorting contact to be engaged with the two second contacts, the indicator not emitting the signal when the first and second connectors are joined and the member on the first connector engages and disconnects the shorting contact from the two second contacts;   wherein the normally closed shorting contact is a unitary leaf spring that is spring biased into engagement with the two second contacts and has a ramp thereon for engagement by the cam;   wherein the unitary leaf spring includes two contact projections for engaging the two second contacts;   wherein the unitary leaf spring is a biased plate with the two contact projections extending in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, in which space the ramp is disposed.   
     
     
       2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the indicator is an audible indicator. 
     
     
       4. In a diagnostic module for vehicular self-diagnosing systems wherein an indicating device warns a vehicle operator of a fault in the system, an electrical disconnect arrangement comprising: a first connector connected to a first circuit component, and having a plurality of first contacts;   a second connector connected to a second circuit component and having a plurality of second contacts;   a normally closed shorting contact normally in engagement with two of the second contacts;   a member on the first connector for engaging the shorting contact to disconnect the shorting contact from at least one of the two second contacts upon joining the first connector to the second connector, said member comprising a cam; and   an indicator connected across the two second contacts and to a source of electric current for emitting a signal when the first and second connectors are disconnected, allowing the shorting contact to be engaged with the two second contacts, the indicator not emitting the signal when the first and second connectors are joined and the member on the first connector engages and disconnects the shorting contact from the two second contacts;   wherein the normally closed shorting contact is a unitary leaf spring that is spring biased into engagement with the two second contacts and has a ramp thereon for engagement by the cam;   wherein the unitary leaf spring includes two contact projections for engaging the two second contacts;   wherein the unitary leaf spring is a biased plate with the two contact projections extending in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, in which space the ramp is disposed.   
     
     
       5. The electrical disconnect arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first circuit component is an air bag system diagnostic module. 
     
     
       6. The electrical disconnect arrangement of claim 5, wherein the indicator is a lamp mounted on a display panel within a vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The electrical disconnect arrangement of claim 5, wherein the indicator is an audible indicator.